Systems and methods for operating wireless networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for wireless networks with inner and outer cells are provided. A base station determines an amount of traffic on an inner and outer cell. When the traffic exceed a predetermined threshold value, traffic is adjusted on the inner or outer cell. Traffic can be adjusted by handing off some of the traffic from the inner cell to the outer cell, from the outer cell to the inner cell, between sectors of the inner or outer cells and / or by handing off traffic to a proximately located base station.

Description

[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 658,370, filed Mar. 4, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The popularity of wireless networks has resulted in a desire for wireless network operators to increase the capacity of their networks. One way to increase capacity is to use more frequencies over the air interface between base stations and mobile stations. However, most frequencies are allocated by governments bodies and most, if not all, available frequencies have been allocated. Another way to increase capacity is to add cell stations by decreasing the size of existing cells. However, adding base stations requires time consuming and expensive zoning approvals from local government bodies. It also requires additional costs for the equipment for the additional base stations, as well as costs associated with leasing space for the equipment.SU...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]One technique for increasing network capacity with minimal increased costs is to deploy a so-called overlay-underlay networks, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,661, the entire contents of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference. In the overlay-underlay networks a base station supports concentric cells, including an inner cell and an outer cell. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to improvements to overlay-underlay and similar ty

Problems solved by technology

However, adding base stations requires time consuming and expensive zoning approvals from local government bodies.

It also requires additional costs for the equipment for the additional base stations, as well as costs associated with leasing space for the equipment.

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